I work as a clerical assistant in a pediatric dental office, and I am commonly surprised by the number of children who are scared of the dentist. Many kids think that cleanings will be painful, and they believe they will be scolded for eating sugary foods. Children are also extremely frightful of the noises made by the water spraying tools and the suction devices. As adults, we know that dental cleanings are easy and free of pain. We need to impart this knowledge to our children so they know not to fear the dentist. I have provided blogs that will help you speak with your child about dental care. Good communication, trips to your own dentist, and online videos can assist you. So will good brushing techniques that will make your child proud to see the dentist. Enjoy my articles so you can help your child build oral care confidence.

Teaching Your Children About the Dentist

3 Reasons Why Caring for Baby Teeth Is Important

25 January 2017

Alfred Kelley

If you are a parent of a child who still has their baby teeth, you may wonder if caring for their teeth is important. This is a common concern, and some parents mistakenly think that these teeth are not important. This view is usually based on the fact that children will lose their baby teeth at some point and get permanent teeth. The following are a few reasons you should make taking care of your child's baby teeth a priority.

Good Oral Hygiene Practice Strengthens Adult Teeth

By emphasizing the importance of tooth brushing and flossing at an early age, you are helping your child to develop good oral hygiene habits that they will likely continue to practice as they get older. If you act as though proper dental care is not important now, they may not see the importance of taking care of their permanent teeth even if you try to explain. Early training will also help your child learn to brush and floss their teeth.

Avoid Infection Risks

Improper dental hygiene can result in cavities. Left untreated, cavities can release bacteria into the bloodstream and cause an infection. The infection may remain around the tooth and could negatively impact the underlying permanent teeth. It is also possible for a more serious consequence to occur such as the infection traveling to other parts of the body such as the brain. This type of infection can have fatal consequences. This is why it is important to take your child to the dentist if they have cavities. Also, keep in mind that all cavities are not dark. Some can only be seen under magnification.

Reduce Negative Impact on Socialization

Your little one might be full of joy presently, but if they get cavities that are at the front of their mouth, their joyful, friendly nature could change. This is because they might get teased by their peers. It is also possible that they might be embarrassed by their smile even if they are not teased. Some children get cavities that are extreme enough to warrant extractions and others have teeth that fall out. If either of these occurs, a dentist may be able to give your child a space maintainer to aid in keeping the underlying teeth in position and to preserve their self-esteem.

A dentist is a good resource for additional info to discover more reasons why it is important to take care of your child's teeth at an early age. They can also perform dental exams to ensure that your child's permanent teeth are developing correctly underneath the surface and not at risk.